Dowson Surname

82,423rd
Most Common
surname in the World

Approximately 5,880 people bear this surname

Most prevalent in:
England
Highest density in:
England

Dowson Surname Definition:

Magota Daudwyfe, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Read More About This Surname

Dowson Surname Distribution Map

PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
England3,9781:14,0072,065
Australia5391:50,0856,242
United States4471:810,87062,361
Canada3891:94,71910,322
New Zealand1271:35,6566,115
Scotland1131:47,3794,177
South Africa721:752,46852,376
Wales441:70,3306,116
Northern Ireland201:92,2525,957
India171:45,121,493474,784
Netherlands141:1,206,22770,951
Russia141:10,294,504334,277
France131:5,109,440259,941
Thailand111:6,421,668407,040
Nigeria91:19,682,529291,344
United Arab Emirates81:1,145,28440,289
Nicaragua71:860,1564,655
Hong Kong51:1,467,0975,611
China51:273,464,31313,838
Germany41:20,126,365436,245
Spain31:15,584,012120,866
Brazil31:71,358,111770,017
Turkey21:38,910,711171,901
Philippines21:50,619,112341,003
Norway21:2,571,14395,402
Mexico21:62,063,10283,384
Belgium21:5,748,322130,559
Malaysia21:14,747,112316,340
Italy21:30,578,344160,757
Indonesia21:66,124,597756,638
Algeria11:38,631,551130,422
Vietnam11:92,646,0548,382
Ireland11:4,708,93929,543
Zimbabwe11:15,438,240133,260
Tanzania11:52,941,613123,716
Cameroon11:20,769,068227,406
Taiwan11:23,444,74693,622
Switzerland11:8,212,915156,297
Sweden11:9,846,757347,448
Argentina11:42,743,414282,706
Saudi Arabia11:30,855,81763,028
Romania11:20,077,87089,414
Papua New Guinea11:8,153,717181,784
Pakistan11:178,643,885213,220
New Caledonia11:276,22310,363
Kyrgyzstan11:5,972,65499,197
Israel11:8,557,634182,558
Isle of Man11:85,8224,091
Ghana11:27,020,69223,742
Belize11:355,4743,977
Ecuador11:15,905,84650,210
Cyprus11:884,87613,055
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
Ireland241:184,5789,087
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
England1,6241:15,0092,226
Scotland91:415,91311,811
Wales61:261,4039,165
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
United States931:539,98637,316

Dowson (106) may also be a first name.

Dowson Surname Meaning

From Where Does The Surname Originate? meaning and history

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of David,' from the nick. Daw or Dow; v. Daw. The earlier nick, would seem to have been Daud, then Daw or Dow. The following are entered together, and are evidently members of one family:

Magota Daudwyfe, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Matilda Daudoghter, 1379: ibid.

Again, we find four entries in close conjunction:

Beatrix Daudewyf, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Dauson, 1379: ibid.

Robertus Dauson, 1379: ibid.

Johanna Dowedoghter, 1370: ibid.

Osbarn Daweson, 1379: ibid.

Wallerus Daweson, 1379: ibid.

In the same village occur, among a few inhabitants:

Robertas Doweson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Willelmus Daweson, 1379: ibid.

A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (1896) by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of David,' from nick. Daw or Dow; v. Dawson for many instances.

Agnes Dowe, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Hugo Dowe, 1379: ibid.

Alicia Dowe, 1379: ibid.

Adam Dowe-man, i.e. the servant of Dow, 1379: ibid.

1573-4. William Dowe and Ellenor Ellyott: Marriage Lic. (London).

A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (1896) by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Douce,' which see. The evidence is in favour of this beingthe chief parent.

Richard Doucesone, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Johannes Douceson, 1379: Poll Tax of Howdenshire.

Emmota Douceson, 1379: ibid.

John fil. Dousoe.: Knight's Fees (Surtees Society).

John Dowsson. Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I.

(a) Bapt. 'the son of David,' nick. Daw and Dow; v. Dow.

Beatrix Daude-wyf, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Dauson, 1379: ibid.

Johanna Dowe-doghter, 1379: ibid.

Ricardus Dauson, 1379: ibid.

Adam Dowe-man, 1379: ibid.

Agnes Dyconwyfdowson, i.e. the wife of Dycon, son of Dow, 1379: ibid.

A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (1896) by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley

From Dawe, diminutive of David + son. John Daweson was a merchant in the service of Archambaud, earl of Douglas in 1405 (Bain, IV, 697). John Dawson is recorded in Kethyk in 1466 (Cupar-Angus,. I, p. 146), and James Dawson was godson of King James IV (ALHT. I). Duncan Dalsoun (compare the l in Chalmers) was coalman to the king in 1531 (ER., XVI, p. 134), Robert Dausoun was tenant of Westirrossy, Uchtermukty in 1531, and John Dawson and Nicholas Dauson were tenants in Uchtermukty in the same year (ibid., p. 494). David Dason, monk of Beauly, 1541, is Dauid Dauisone in 1568, and Dauid Dauson in 1571 (Beauly, p. 220,256, 268). Jasper Dason and Andrew Dasone appear in Melrose in 1607 and 1699 (RRM., I, p. 40; III, p. 118), Thomas Dasone was bailie of the burgh of Anstruther Wester in 1671 (Inquis., 5415), and Joannes Dasone in Findhorne, 1677 (Retours, Elgin, 188). Dawsone 1627. Dawsons were once numerous in Badenoch. compare Deasson.

The Surnames of Scotland (1946) by George Fraser Black (1866-1948)

Dowse’s or Douce's Son: v. Douce. There may have been some confusion with Dawson, q.v.

Surnames of the United Kingdom (1912) by Henry Harrison

See David. The late earl of Portarlington averred that it ought to be D'Ossoune! Arthur says there is a town in Normandy called Ossone, but the Itin. Norm, does not give it.

Patronymica Britannica (1860) by Mark Antony Lower

Probably a corruption of the Gaelic, Dhu, i.e. black; but don or doo, the Scottish for dove or pigeon, may be the origin. Dow, without prefix, is found in H.R. It also appears to have been a personal name, and to have given rise to Dowson, Dowse, Dowsing, and Dowsett, and also to the local name Dowsby in Lincolnshire.

Patronymica Britannica (1860) by Mark Antony Lower

Black.

The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames (1862) by Clifford Stanley Sims (1839-1896)

Said to be a corruption of the Nor. French D'Ossonc, from the town of Ossone, in Normandy. Camden, however, thinks it a contraction of Davison, the son of David, which is the more probable derivation.

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857) by William Arthur

From Dawson.

The Norman People (1874)

Dawson. —A north of England name, mostly found in Cumberland and Westmoreland, Durham, West Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Cheshire, and extending into central Scotland; Daw or Dawe is confined to the west of England.

Homes of Family Names in Great Britain (1890) by Henry Brougham Guppy

Dowson Last Name Facts

Where Does The Last Name Dowson Come From? nationality or country of origin

Dowson (Marathi: डॉसीन) has its highest incidence in England. It may also occur as:. Click here for other potential spellings of this name.

How Common Is The Last Name Dowson? popularity and diffusion

The surname Dowson is the 82,423rd most frequently used surname on a worldwide basis, borne by approximately 1 in 1,239,379 people. The last name Dowson occurs predominantly in Europe, where 72 percent of Dowson reside; 71 percent reside in Northern Europe and 71 percent reside in British Isles. Dowson is also the 915,176th most commonly used given name globally, held by 106 people.

This last name is most frequently used in England, where it is held by 3,978 people, or 1 in 14,007. In England Dowson is primarily concentrated in: Durham, where 22 percent reside, North Yorkshire, where 14 percent reside and Tyne and Wear, where 7 percent reside. Without taking into account England it occurs in 51 countries. It is also common in Australia, where 9 percent reside and The United States, where 8 percent reside.

Dowson Family Population Trend historical fluctuation

The prevalency of Dowson has changed over time. In England the number of people who held the Dowson last name rose 245 percent between 1881 and 2014; in The United States it rose 481 percent between 1880 and 2014; in Scotland it rose 1,256 percent between 1881 and 2014; in Wales it rose 733 percent between 1881 and 2014 and in Ireland it decreased 96 percent between 1901 and 2014.

Dowson Last Name Statistics demography

The religious devotion of those holding the Dowson last name is predominantly Anglican (54%) in Ireland.

In The United States those bearing the Dowson last name are 13.61% more likely to be registered with the Republican Party than the national average, with 60.38% being registered with the political party.

The amount Dowson earn in different countries varies greatly. In Norway they earn 92% more than the national average, earning 664,476 kr per year; in South Africa they earn 78.07% more than the national average, earning R 423,156 per year; in United States they earn 12.36% more than the national average, earning $48,484 USD per year and in Canada they earn 0.8% more than the national average, earning $50,080 CAD per year.

Phonetically Similar Names

SurnameSimilarityWorldwide IncidencePrevalency
Dowsson922/
Dowsong921/
Dawson83214,861/
Dobson8368,203/
Dowsen8350/
Dowsan837/
Dovson837/
Dowsom834/
Dofson833/
Dowxon831/
Dowzon831/
Dawsson773/
Hdawson772/
Daawson772/
Doubson772/
Dawsosn771/
Dawsoen771/
Dawwson771/
Daswson771/
Dotfson771/
Dobsoon771/
Dauwson771/
D'Awson771/
Dowsang771/
Dobsonn771/
Dawsond771/
Dowshan770/
D'Hobson711/
D'Dawson711/
Dubson67415/
Dabson67391/
Davson67250/
Dawsen6744/
Dawsan6736/
Dawsom6723/
Dobsan6713/
Dobsen679/
Dawsun672/
Duvson671/
Dawsonová671/
Dovsan671/
Dufson670/
Dofsan670/
Dovsen670/

Dowson Name Transliterations

TransliterationICU LatinPercentage of Incidence
Dowson in the Marathi language
डॉसीनdosina-

Search for Another Surname

The name statistics are still in development, sign up for information on more maps and data

By signing up to the mailing list you will only receive emails specifically about name reference on Forebears and your information will not be distributed to 3rd parties.

Footnotes

  • Surnames are taken as the first part of an person's inherited family name, caste, clan name or in some cases patronymic
  • Descriptions may contain details on the name's etymology, origin, ethnicity and history. They are largely reproduced from 3rd party sources; diligence is advised on accepting their validity - more information
  • Name distribution statistics are generated from a global database of over 4 billion people - more information
  • Heatmap: Dark red means there is a higher occurrence of the name, transitioning to light yellow signifies a progressively lower occurrence. Clicking on selected countries will show mapping at a regional level
  • Rank: Name are ranked by incidence using the ordinal ranking method; the name that occurs the most is assigned a rank of 1; name that occur less frequently receive an incremented rank; if two or more name occur the same number of times they are assigned the same rank and successive rank is incremented by the total preceeding names
  • Ethnic group cannot necessarily be determined by geographic occurrence
  • Similar: Names listed in the "Similar" section are phonetically similar and may not have any relation to Dowson
  • To find out more about this surname's family history, lookup records on Family​Search, My​Heritage, FindMyPast and Ancestry. Further information may be obtained by DNA analysis